KARACHI: A massive fire ripped through Gul Plaza, a multi-storey shopping mall located on MA Jinnah Road in the busy Saddar area of Karachi, late on Saturday night, leaving at least three people dead and 20 others injured.
The blaze, declared a Category III fire by authorities, erupted on the mezzanine floor of the crowded commercial complex, which houses more than 1,000 shops and is considered one of the busiest wholesale and retail centres in the city. Within minutes, thick black smoke and towering flames engulfed the ground and first floors before rapidly spreading to the second floor, trapping dozens of people inside and triggering panic among shopkeepers and visitors. According to officials of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Fire Brigade, the fire was first reported late at on Saturday night, when the plaza was still partially occupied by shop employees, customers, and security staff. As the intensity of the flames increased, emergency calls flooded the Fire Brigade control room, prompting the immediate dispatch of multiple firefighting units.
Initially, three fire brigade vehicles were sent to the scene, but as the situation worsened, the number was increased to eight fire tenders, along with two snorkels and one bowser. Rescue 1122 teams also reached the site to assist in evacuation and medical response.
Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan, while briefing the media at the site, said the fire was “large and dangerous” and would take considerable time to control. He said the blaze quickly spread, making the operation extremely challenging due to heavy smoke, narrow staircases, and poor visibility inside the building.
“The snorkel is being used to rescue people trapped in upper floors,” he said, adding that fire tenders from different parts of the city had been called in to reinforce the operation.
As flames continued to rage, the Fire Brigade and Rescue 1122 immediately sought assistance from the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) to ensure a continuous supply of water. On the directives of KWSC Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Ali Siddiqui, an emergency was imposed at the NIPA and Safora hydrants, and several water tankers were rushed to the scene.
A KWSC spokesperson stated that Muhammad Siddiq Tanio, in-charge of the Hydrants Cell, remained in constant coordination with fire and rescue officials, while the CEO’s focal person, Shehbaz Bashir, personally supervised the water supply operation to avoid any interruption during the critical firefighting efforts.
“The water corporation is fully cooperating with the Fire Brigade and rescue agencies, and water tankers will continue to be supplied until the fire is completely brought under control,” the spokesperson added.
Inside the plaza, the situation was chaotic. Thick smoke filled the corridors, forcing many people to crawl on the floor in search of fresh air. Several shopkeepers were seen breaking glass windows and shutters in a desperate attempt to escape, while others shouted for help from upper floors.
Rescue officials confirmed that at least eight people were injured and taken to the Civil Hospital Karachi for medical treatment. According to rescue sources, three men – Amir, 30, Asif Younus, Faraz Abrar, 55 -- lost their lives due to suffocation. Their identities could not be immediately confirmed. Among the 20 injured were Hamza, 22; Jawad, 18; Ayan, 25; Abdullah, 20; Usman, 20; Fahad, 47; and Zain, 23, along with another unidentified man. Hospital sources said several victims were in critical condition due to smoke inhalation, while doctors were making every effort to stabilize them.
The fire also caused massive damage to property, with dozens of shops gutted and large quantities of merchandise reduced to ashes. Business owners stood helplessly outside the building, watching years of investment go up in flames.
Traffic on MA Jinnah Road and surrounding arteries was severely disrupted as police and Rangers cordoned off the area to facilitate rescue operations and to keep onlookers at a safe distance. Long queues of vehicles were seen, and commuters were advised to use alternative routes.
Taking notice of the incident, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar directed SSP City Arif Aziz to ensure immediate rescue measures and instructed traffic police to clear routes for the smooth movement of fire brigade vehicles and emergency services.
He also ordered a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fire and emphasized that the safety of the Gul Plaza building must be ensured to prevent further spread of flames. “All possible cooperation should be provided to rescue agencies to protect the lives and property of citizens,” the home minister stated.
Although firefighters continued to battle the blaze for several hours, officials said the operation would remain underway until the fire was fully extinguished and the building declared safe.
This tragic incident once again highlights the growing risks posed by fire hazards in Karachi’s congested commercial areas, where outdated infrastructure, lack of fire safety measures, and narrow access routes often turn accidents into deadly disasters. Residents and traders have urged authorities to strictly enforce fire safety regulations in shopping malls and markets to prevent the loss of precious human lives and valuable property in the future.
